VIS

Page Image

Page Content

The Visa Information System (VIS) allows Schengen States to exchange visa data. VIS connects consulates in non-EU countries and all external border crossing points of Schengen States. It processes data and decisions relating to applications for short‑stay visas to visit, or to transit through, the Schengen Area.

The system helps avoid ‘visa shopping’, supports documenting and prevents irregular migration. It can perform biometric matching, primarily of fingerprints, for identification and verification purposes and assists the authorities protecting the internal security of Member States.

The Visa Information System provides the following benefits:

clearer and quicker procedures for travellers requiring a visa to enter the Schengen Area;

security and protection for travellers using biometric technology, helping to ensure the identification of people and prevent identity theft;

consular cooperation and consultation between national visa authorities;

reduced risk of ‘visa shopping’ and fraud;

identification of people who may not, or may no longer, fulfil the conditions to enter or stay in the Schengen Area;

support for checks at the external borders and inside the Schengen Area Member States;

support with the processing of asylum applications.

To better respond to evolving security and migratory challenges as well as improving the EU's external border management, the European Commission has proposed the upgrade of the Visa Information System. The proposed changes expand the scope of VIS by adding long stay-visas and residence permits to the system. They will also allow for more thorough background checks on visa applicants; close security information gaps through better information exchange between Member States and ensure full interoperability with other EU-wide databases.

SIS II

In May 2013, eu-LISA became responsible of the operational management of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) which entered into operation on 09 April 2013 replacing SIS1. SIS II, the largest information system for public security in Europe, allows information exchanges between national border control, customs and police authorities ensuring that the free movement of people within the EU can take place in a safe environment. It also contains alerts on missing persons, in particular children, as well as information on certain property, such as banknotes, cars, vans, firearms and identity documents that may have been stolen, misappropriated or lost.

The countries currently using the system are the EU Member States (except for Croatia, Ireland and the UK) and Associated Countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

VIS

In December 2012, eu-LISA became responsible of the operational management of the Visa Information System (VIS). It is a system for the exchange of visa data among Schengen Member States. VIS connects consulates in non-EU countries and all external border crossing points of Schengen States. It processes data and decisions relating to applications for short-stay visas to visit, or to transit through, the Schengen Area. The system can perform biometric matching, primarily of fingerprints, for identification and verification purposes.

The countries using the system are the Schengen states, namely the EU Member States - except UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia and Associated Countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

EURODAC

In 2013, eu-LISA became responsible for the management of EURODAC (European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database) that helps, by matching fingerprints to make it easier for EU States to determine responsibility for examining an asylum application by comparing fingerprint datasets.
Since its creation in 2003 , EURODAC has been used for asylum purposes only: when someone applies for asylum, no matter where they are in the EU or in any of the countries participating in this cooperation, their fingerprints are transmitted to the central database.
Hence EURODAC facilitates the judicious and transparent receipt and processing of asylum applications from those who may need the protection afforded by Europe.

The countries using the system are the 28 EU Member States and Associated Countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.